Settlement Agreement

If you have been offered a settlement agreement by your employer, it is important to obtain independent legal advice before signing.

We have advised employees on settlement agreements since 2008.

• We advise clients throughout London, England and Wales.
• We have extensive experience of individual exits, workplace disputes and large-scale redundancy exercises.
• We provide clear, practical advice in straightforward language.
• We can review settlement agreements, advise on your rights and explain the implications of signing.
• We offer transparent fee information and will discuss costs before any chargeable work is undertaken.

Experienced Settlement Agreement Advice Since 2008

Arona St James Solicitors has been advising employees on settlement agreements since 2008. Over the years, we have acted for employees across a wide range of sectors and levels of seniority, from junior staff to directors and senior management.

We have also assisted employees during large-scale redundancy and restructuring programmes, where employers may be offering settlement agreements to substantial numbers of staff. This experience enables us to provide practical and commercially focused advice, taking account of both the legal issues and the realities of the workplace.

Whether you have been offered a settlement agreement following redundancy, a workplace dispute, performance concerns, long-term sickness absence or as part of a mutually agreed departure, we can help you understand your options before making a decision.

Our Role

Many employees contact us after discussions with their employer have already taken place and the broad terms of the proposed exit have been agreed.

Our role is typically to:

• Review the settlement agreement.
• Explain the terms and legal effect of the documents.
• Ensure the agreement accurately reflects what has been negotiated.
• Advise on confidentiality clauses, references and post-termination restrictions.
• Identify any potential legal issues.
• Confirm that you understand the rights you will be giving up by signing the agreement.

Where appropriate, we can also advise on whether there may be scope to improve the terms being offered.

Legal Fees and Employer Contributions

Most employers contribute towards the cost of obtaining independent legal advice on a settlement agreement.

In many cases, the employer’s contribution is intended to cover the solicitor’s review of the agreement, advice to the employee and completion of the certificate required to make the agreement legally binding.

Additional work, such as negotiations, extensive correspondence, advice on potential employment claims or the review of substantial supporting documentation, may fall outside the employer’s contribution and incur additional fees.

If further work is required, we will discuss this with you in advance and provide a clear quotation before undertaking any chargeable work.

Considering Other Sources of Advice

Before instructing a solicitor, you may wish to consider whether you are a member of a trade union. Many trade unions provide advice and assistance in relation to settlement agreements and redundancy packages.

You may also find it helpful to contact ACAS, which provides free and impartial information about employment rights and workplace issues.

Should you require independent legal advice from a solicitor, we will be happy to discuss your circumstances and provide a clear indication of likely costs.

Why Choose Arona St James Solicitors?

We appreciate that receiving a settlement agreement can be an uncertain and sometimes stressful experience. Our aim is to provide clear advice, realistic guidance and practical solutions.

We focus on helping clients understand:

• Whether the package offered is fair.
• What rights are being waived.
• Whether any future restrictions could affect employment opportunities.
• Whether there are issues that should be addressed before the agreement is signed.

Our objective is to ensure that clients can make informed decisions with confidence and move forward with certainty.

Speak to a Settlement Agreement Solicitor

If you have been offered a settlement agreement and need independent legal advice before signing, contact Arona St James Solicitors. We advise employees throughout London, England and Wales.